Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-02-17
EX-SENATOR DAVIS
On Vest Vfrginia Matters.

Ex-senator Henry G. Davis expresses
himself with perfect freedom upon matters
that are of particular Importance to the
people Of Yves virginia at this time. In
speaking of the admission resolution yes
terday. he stated that he was heartily in ia
vor of it. q believe" said he. in 'the
right of petition, and when a respectable
portion of the pile ask that any question
be submitted rem their prayer should
be needed" As to the question of abso-
lutte prohibition, Mr. Davis can hardly be
called a radical advocate Of the doctrine.
He rather iuclines to the high license plan,
and the regulation of the liquor traffic by
certain stringent laws regarding the sale
of intoxicants to minors, habitual drunk
ards, &c He cites instances wherethi has
been practically operated, and has resulted
in a reduction of the number of saloons, at
the same time increasing the revenues of
the State. "Take, for instance, Missouri, j"
he said. "When the present law went into
effect there were 5000 saloons, yielding an
annual revenue 10 the State of $j5O,OOO.
Now there are only 1850 saloons, returning
revenue of SS42,2OO Besides the bust
ness is in the hands Of more responsible
parties, and the low grog-shops have almost
entirely disappeared"
RAILROAD REGULATION.
In speaking of the Interstate Commerce
BILL which has Just become 2 law, the ex-
senator stated that he regards its provis-
ions as designed to be for the best interests
of the state, as it viii enable our agricultu-
raj products to compete with those of the
/ West and our timber and minerals with
those of the Northwest in the Eastern mar
kets. He thinks the Yves; Virginia Legis-
lature should adopt the bill as passed by
Congress, changing its provisions to suit
our State, and reducing the number OF
commissioners to two. "By conforming
our law to that of the United States we
would simplify matters and prevent con-
ficts" Mr.. Davis is also in favor Of regu-
lating telegraph companies by law. The
present railroad law in West Virginia, he
thinks. is not suitable TO the existing con-
dition of things and is not properly en-
forced. He is in favor of the Legislature
of our State as well as Congress, requiring
that rates shall be uniform, reasonable and
public, and that no preference shall be
given any shipper in the matter of dis
counts. rebates or drawbacks. This, he
says, if enforced, will result in great good
to the state
STATE DEVELOPMENT
In speaking of railroad building in West
Virginia, Mr.. Davis declared that there is
not as much OF it being done as there
should be. With our varied resources, val
ueless unless developed, and undeyeloped
for lack of railroads, West Virginia ought
to be one Of the greatest States in the I'm
ion. He regards the question Of building
and regulating ra roads as the most impor-
tant Of all questions pertaining to the wei.
| fare OF the State. With an area of 24,6i5
square miles, and resources unexcelled, we
had on the first of January of this year but
1.l43 miles of railroad, or less than any
other State in the Union, except six.
The ex-senator proposes remedy for
this condition of things. I quote him lit
orally
Having but little home capital to invest
in railroads, we, Of course, have to seek our
capital from the older and more prosperous
States. Now, capital is timid, and will not
20 where it is not invited or fairly treated.
To induce it to come to West Virginia we
should welcome and treat railroads as we
would any other enterprise seeking a home
among US. While We want the people to be
liberal and fair toward the railroads, they
1.-THE railroads. should be liberal and fair
and just toward the people. Railroads can
DO more than anything else to get US out OF
the wilderness. They are taxed and increase
the revenues of the State. Besides, they in
crease the value of all property near the
line Of the road"
Fair treatment, then, is all that capital
demands at the hands of West Virginia,
before she may hope to be taken out of the
wilderness.
TIE LABOR QUESTION,
Senator Davis would deal with in a practi-
cal way. lie thinks that while there have
been some evidences of dissatisfaction
among the wage workers in West Virginia
they seem, as a whole, to be better content-
ed than The laboring classes who live in
large cities. As a rule they have steadier
work and own their homes. The question
Of capital and labor is an important one.
Capital and labor ought to be good faiends,
as one is dependent upon and essential to
the other. One is necessary to the useful
ness of the other Both should, therefore,
be treated with equal fairness. Both should